Follow-up card file holding and designating machine



Mah 23, 1943?a E. F. JOHNSON ".23`14705 FOLLOW-UP CARD FILE HOLDING AND -DESI'GNAT'ING MACHINE Filed Jan. 29, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet l ,Ego zu' Z4 66 z/ 2 ,ef

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FOLOW-UP CARD FILE HOLDING AND DESIGNATING MACHINE Filed Jan. 29,' 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 T- BY /J /Qwub 30 d ATTORNEY March 23, 1943., E. F. JoHNsoN FOLLOW-UP CARD FILE HOLDING AND DESIGNATING MACHINE Filed Jan. 29. 1942 l@ \\\\\\\YS ATTORNEY he'ets-Sheet 3 Mam 239 393,. E. F. JOHNSON 2,314,705

FoLLow-UP GARD FILE HOLDING-MD DESIGNATING'MAGHINE Filed Jan. 29, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Lll'l- 55 "Z0v y 22 5 41H@ ff .Zr 60 i-S 76 3+ #al y f IHIHMIW INVENTOR amv vPatented Mar. 1943 V Evert F.

Pennzoil Company, of Pennsylvania DESIGNATING MACHINE Johnson, Oil City, Pa., assignor toThe Oil City, Pa., a corporation.

Application January 28, 1942, Serial No. 428,704 14 Claims. (Cl. l2916.1)5

This invention relates to a machine which, although not necessarily so limited, is available for use in connection with the cards of a "followup -iile such, for example, as kept by service stations and garages for recording the various lubricating' and other services which are performed, or recommendedto be performed, at

specified periods to maintain the automobiles of customers in proper running condition, the' machine being automatically operative when so employed to designate, day-by-day and without the necessity of thumbing through the entire ille to obtain such information, which of said customers should b e notified to bring in their automobiles for servicing.

One object of the invention is to provide machine of the type generally described which is adapted to accommodate a file of cards, each of which is intended to be referred to at several specified periods, and which is so designed vthai;

the designation of a particular card as currently calling for attention also indicates which of said periods is involved. A further object is to provide a machinewhich t is adapted to designate the cards at the periods specified, although the numbers of and the times at which` such periods occur may vary with different cards.

A still further object is to provide a machine wherein the cards which comprise the le are readily accessible at all times and may be removed and replaced at will. 1

A still further object is ,toprovide a machine which is slmplecompact and attractive in de- 'sign and which will accommodate conventional cards. y y

'The invention is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view (with the cover removed) vof a machine embodying the features of the invention. s

Figure 2* is a vertical' section taken along line 2'2 of Figure 1. v v

Figure 3 is to sectional view through the casing of the machine, the operating parts being shown in elevation. y Figure 4 is a horizontal section taken along line 4--4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a similar l-S of the same figure.

Figure 6lis an enlarged detail section taken along line 8-6 of Figure-3.

Figure '7 is a fragmentary section taken along section taken alongv line lline 1-1 of Figure 6. y

. Figures 8, 9 and 10,

in a hub 24 which the upper end of a spindle 2i, a shoulder 28 on -ring by horizontal Figure 8 an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the wheel which provides the compartments for the cards of the le.

Figure 9 -is a fragmentary section taken along line 8-8 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a similar section ,IU--IIlof Figure '8.

The machine, as illustrated, includes avbase parts thereof are enclosed plate I2; and the is xed to the base within a housing I3 which plate and a cover ably supported upon the housing, the upper mar-l ginal edge of the housing being flangedv to provide a seat I5 for the ring ofthe cover.

The record cards, indicated at I6 and I'I in normally rest upon a disclike support I8 which occupy compartments 20 which are provided by radially extending plates 2I of a wheel 22. The inner ends of the is rotatably mounted upon the spindle cooperating with a sleeve 21 on the hub to support the wheel at an elevation at which the lower edges of the plates lust cleary the support I8 and a shoulder 26a providing a rest for the central part of the said support. The outer connected by a ring 28 ends of the plates 2i are and the outer ends of the closed by a band 28 which spacing elements 30. The support I8 is formed with radially extending compartments 20 are discharge outlets 3|, 32, 38, 34 and 85 which are through which the spindle of a spider 81, a hub having ,an opening 25 passes and resting 88 formed or provided on normally closed by vanes 88 portion 38 of f the latter upon an annular seat the said spindle just beneath the support.

In accordance with the invention the wheel 22 is rotated s'tep-by-stepl so that each of-the compartments 20 is moved successively and at predetermined periods to positions over and in alignment with each of the outlets 8|, 82, 83, 84 and 35. To this end the lower edge of the band 29 is formed to provide teeth 40. A dog 4I which engages the teeth 4|) is pivotally mounted upon, and provides a vertical continuation of. a post 4I'a which is carried by a 'slide 42.' The latter 43 having rod extensions '44 and 45 which are accommodated in horizontal guide bores formed in posts 48 yand. 46a respectively, the said body extending outwardly with respect to the rod extensions and resting upon a guide bar 41 which is supported by -and between the upper ends of the posts 48 and 46a. A spring 48 taken along line j I4 (Figure 3) which is removf is carried byl posts1i9 and v platesnt in channels 23 formed issupported from they 45 behind a shoulder providing ,enlargement 5I!"4 acts as a cushion.

The under side o! the body of the slide is` formed to provide a gear rack 5| (Figure 6); A

sector gear 52 which cooperates with the rack 5I is xed to the outer end of a shaft 53 which is journaled in a bearing 54 and-which also carries a worm lwheel 55. rIihe latter' meshes with, and is driven'by, a worm 56. A shaft 51 which carries the worm' 55 is mounted in bearings 53 (Figure 5) and at one end carries agear 59 which meshes with a gear 50. The latter and a gear 6| vare carried by a shaft 62 whichis mounted in a bearing 63, a pinion 64 which is carried by the amature shaft of a motor 35 meshing with the gear 6|. The sector gear 52, therefore, may be driven by the motor 65 to actuate the slide 42 and thereby advance the wheel 22 one step. the spring 48 restoring the slide Vto its original position as the teeth oi' the sector gear 52 move beyond and out of engagement with the teeth of the gear rack. Simultaneously a spring 66 which normally holds the dog A4I in an upright position yields to permit the dog to pass under the succeeding tooth on the band 29, whereby when the slide is again actuated in the manner dscribed, the wheel 22 will be advanced another s p.

In each or its rest positions a compartment of the vwheel 22 is' located over 4each of the outlets 3I, 32, 33, 34 and 35; and each movement of the wheel moves such compartments ahead as the succeeding compartments are advanced to the positions originally occupied by them. In

this connection it will be noted (see Figures 8, 9

and 10) that the cards I6 and |1 in the compartments are similar except that the formerare inserted lengthwise while the-latter are in-v serted widthwise. The first two outlets in the support I3, i. e., 3| and 32 are of a length slightly greater than the width of the cards I6 and I1 but less than the length of the said cardswhile the-remaining three outlets, i. e., 33, 34 and 35 are of a length slightly greater than the length of the said cards, the ring 28 and the hub of the wheel cooperating with the ends of the cards I1 to guide the latter across the shorter outlets to the longer outlets. In order to guide the cards I3 so that their lower endswill align properly with the shorter outlets, a bail 56a is carried by each of the plates 2|, the legs of the'bails cooperating with the side edges of the cards ISto hold the latter in the proper'positions in the compartments and being pivotally connected to the upper edges of the plates 2| so that the bails may be swung from horizontal operative positions in` which they rest upon adiacent plates to vertical inoperative positions. When the bails occupy the latter positions the cards may be inserted widthwise into, or removed Widthwise from, the compartments.

vanes 36 to positions at-the sides of the outlets `3|, 32, 33, 34 and 35, a spring 13 (Figure 5) which shaft 12, the shafts 69 and 12 being mounted in -suitable bearings carried by a horizontal member of a frame 13. A cam 14 which is nxed tothe upper end of the shaft 12 is engageable with an arm 14a of a-crank 15 and is operative to move.

the. rater to the dotted-une position indicated in Figure 5. The outer end of the other arm'13 of the crank 15 is connected by a link 11 to an extension. 18 (Figure `4) onone of the venes oi the spider 31; and hence such movement ot the crank isv transmitted to the spider to move the connects the arm '16 of the crank to the plate I8 yielding to permit movement of the parts in the manner described and ,being automatically operative to restore them to their original positions as the cam 14 moves beyond and releases the arm 14a.

When the spider 31 is thus actuated the cards IG inthe compartments over the outlets 3| and 32 -and all of the cardsrin the compartments over the outlets 33, 34 and 35 are permitted to fall through the said outlets into receivers 30. The latter a're inthe form of drawers which extend radially into the housing I3 and which may be withdrawn to remove the cards which enter them,

it being understood in this connection that the use of drawers is optional and that if desired built-in compartments may be substituted for them.

In accordance with the invention the motor 65 vis energized once every twenty-four hours, preierably at mid-night, or any other period between normal periods of use, the circuit for the motor including a conventional time-controlled device for automatically closing the circuit and for holding' it closed for a complete cycle of the machine, that is to say an interval during which the wheel 22 is advanced one step and the spider 31 is actuated to open the outlets 3|, 32, 33,34 and 35 to permit the cards which have been moved over the outlets to fall into the receivers. It will thus be apparent that the location oi' the outlets with respect to the location of the compartments when the cards are placed in the latter may be predetermined to effect the delivery of the cards from the wheel 2 2 at the desired periods and may be varied to meet different requirements. In the machine illustrated the plates 2| divide the wheel 22 into forty-four compartments. 'Hence cards which initially are inserted lengthwise in the compartment over the outlet 35 (the startingp sition) will be automatically discharged-through the outlet 3| on the third day.l Alter the-procedure called -for has been carried out these cards may be replaced in their original compartment and will not be discharged again, assuming they.

After each movement of the wheel 22 to adare inserted lengthwise when being replaced, until the-said compartment is ,moved to a position over the outlet 32 on the tenth day.

In the meantime those of the cards which were initially inserted widthwise in the compartment over the outlet 35 have been advanced step-bystep with the cards inserted lengthwise. Such cards, however, owing to their length, will not pass through the outlets 3| and 32 and hence will be advanced until the compartment is moved to apostion over the outlet" 33 on the thirtieth day. After the directions called` for have been iollowed the cards which are discharged throughthe outlet 33 may be replaced in their original compartments 20.-

enth day. When they are'again replaced in their compartment after being discharged through the outlet 3l the cards will not be discharged until the compartment is moved to a position over the outlet '35. This will occur on the forty-fifty day. In this connection it will be noted that the compartment from which the cards are-discharged on the forty-fifty day is the same compartment' Y,

in which the cards were inserted o n the -first day. This is possible as the outlets 3i, 32, 33, and l are normally closed, the spider 31 being'actuated to momentarily open the outlets immediately cards may be accommodated, meansfor rotating said wheel to advance each of said compartments successively to positions over each of said outlets, and means for actuating said iirst named means to permit the discharge of said cards through said outlets.

2. A machine of the character described including a horizontal support having a plurality of ldischarge outlets, a vertical shaft, means carafter each advancing movement of the wheel 2! between the normal periods of use. The various compartments may, 'of course, be identified in any suitable manner.

It will be apparent that in the use of the machine the cards are placed initially in the compartment over the outlet 35. Each day, or as-v often as intended, the receivers 80 may be withdrawn, the cards inspected and the procedure called for carried out. The outlets 3|, 32, II, 34 and 35 being normally closed andthe spider 31 being actuated only between normal periods of use, the cards may, after they have been removed from the drawers and inspected, be replaced immediately in their original compartments without ,causing any break in their stepby-stepmovement toward outlets representing specified later periods of time. If desired, a conventional ille ofduplicate cards may be kept in connection withi'the file of cards in the machine. In suchv c ase the duplicate le of cards will be available for reference in the event that it should be desired to locate particular cards inthe com- From the foregoing it will be apparent that the machine is characterized by features which adapt it particularly for use in connection with a card file of customers of the kind kept' by service stations and garages. When so employed ried by said shaft for normally closing said out'- lets, a wheel mounted 'on said shaft over said support, said wheel being divided into compartments in which cards may be accommodated, means for rotating said wheel to advance each of said compartments. successively to positions over each of said'outlets while the latter are closed, and means for thereafter rotatingv said iirst named means to permitv the discharge of said cards through said outlets.

3. A machine of the character described including a horizontal support having a plurality of radially extending discharge outlets, a vertical shaft, a rotatable spider mounted onv said shaft and having radially extending arms for closing said outlets, receivers undersaid outlets, a wheel divided into compartments in which cards may 'A be accommodated, means for rotating said wheel to advance each of said compartments, successively to positions over each of said outlets, and means for rotating said spider to permit the discharge of said cards through said 'outlets into said receivers.

4. A machine of the character-described 1ncluding a horizontal support having a plurality of radially extending discharge outlets,fa verti cal shaft, a rotatable spider mounted on said shaft under said support 'andvhavingfradially extending arms for normally closing said outlets,

the machine may be availed of to discharge the cards day-by-'day so that an attendant may send out notices to such customers advising theml when their cars require servicing, what the particular services are and when they were last performed.

'Ihe cards being replaced in themachine after such notices have been sent out, they will again be discharged at f uture specified periods 'so that the customersmay be notified ofl additional services as recommended periods for suchservices occur and may also be reminded of theneed of a wheel mounted on said shaft over said support,

' said wheel having a rim and being divided into compartments in. which cards may be accommodated, means engageable with saidl rim for rotating said wheel to advance each. of said compartments successively to positions over each vof said outlets, and means for rotating said spider after said compartments have been moved to said last named positions to permit the discharge of y said cards through said outlets.v

5. A machine of thel character described including a horizontal support having a plurality of spaced-apart, radially extending discharge outlets a vertical shaft, a rotatable spider services which they may have neglected to have having radially extending arms for normally mounted on said shaft under said supportI and closing said outlets, receivers under said outlets,

- a wheel mounted on said shaft over saidsupport',

said wheel being divided into compartments in which cards may be accommodated', means for rotating said wheel to advance each of said comare intended to pass over said outlets. The machine, therefore, has the further advantage that although the physical characteristics of the cards are identical their discharge through certain of 33, 34 and 35 maybe selecthe outlets 3i, 32, tively controlled.

I claim as my invention:

1. Amachine of the character described including a horizontal support having aplurality of discharge outlets, a vertical shaft, means carried by said shaft for'closing said outletsr a wheel mounted on said shaft over said support, said wheel being divided into compartments in which partments successively to. positions over each of said outlets,; ymeans for rotating said .spider through a predetermined angle; after said compartments have been moved to *said last named positions to permit the discharge of said cards through said outlets into said receivers, and means for thereafter restoring said spider to its original position. l

6. A machine of the character described invcluding a horizontal support having a, plurality of discharge outlets, a vertical shaft, a rotatable spider mounted on said shaft under said support and having'radially extending arms for closing said outlets, a wheel mounted on said shaft over said support, said wheel having a notched'rim and being divided into compartments in which 7. A machine of the character described including a horizontal support having long and ,short discharge outlets, a vertical shaft, a wheel mounted on said'shait over said support, said wheel being divided into compartments inwhich oblong cards may. be inserted lengthwise and widthwise, means for rotating said wheel to advance each of said compartments successively toA positions over each of said outlets, whereby to effeet the dischargeof certain of said cardsthrough one of said outlets and the passage of other of said cards over said outlet according to their horizontal dimensions, and means for holding in predetermined positions in said compartments those of said cards which are inserted lengthwise, whereby to prevent their lateral displacement and insure their alignment with said short discharge outlets.

8. A machine' of the character described including a horizontal support having long and short discharge outlets, means for normally closing said outlets, a wheel divided into compartments in which oblong cards may be inserted lengthwise and widthwise, means for' rotatingv said wheel to advance each'of said compartments successively to positions over each o f said outlets, and means for actuating said first named means after said compartments have been moved to said last named'positions to momentarily open said outlets, whereby to effect the simultaneous discharge of cardsthrough a plurality of said outlets including the selective discharge of certain of said cards according to their horizontal dimensions through at least'one ofsaid outlets.

9. A machine of the character described including a horizontal support having long and l short discharge outlets, means for normally closing said outlets, receivers under said outlets, a wheel divided into compartments in which oblong cards may be inserted lengthwise and widthwise, means for rotating said wheelv step-by-step to advance each of said compartments successively to positions over each of said outlets, and means for actuating said iirst named means to open said outlets momentarily after each of said step-by-step movements, whereby to eii'ect the simultaneous discharge of cards through a plurality of said outlets including the selective discharge of certain of said cards according to their horizontal dimensions through at least one of said outlets.

10. A machine of the character described including a lhorizontal support having short and long discharge outlets, a wheel mounted over said support and divided into compartments into which oblong cards may be inserted lengthwise and widthwise, means for rotating said wheel to advance each of said compartments successively to positions over each ofsaid outlets, and means for holding in predetermined positions in said compartments those of said cards which are inserted lengthwise whereby to prevent their la t eral movement and insure their alignment with said short outlets.

11. A machine of the character described in cluding a horizontal support having short and long discharge outlets, means for normallyclosing said outlets, a wheel mounted over said support and divided into compartments into which oblongl cards may be' inserted lengthwise and widthwise, means for rotating said wheel stepby-step to advance each of said compartments successively to positions over each of said outlets, bails carried by the walls of said compart. melnts for holding against lateral movement those of said cards which are inserted lengthwise, whereby to insure their alignment with said short outlets, and means for actuating said first named means to permit thev discharge of cards through said outlets, said balls having operative positionsin which they extend across said compartments and being'movable -to inoperative positions to permit cards to be-inserted widthwise and to be removed in the same manner.

12. A machine of the character described including a horizontal support having short and long discharge outlets, a vertical shaft,'a spider rotatably mounted on said shaft under said support and having radially extending arms for normally closing said outlets, receivers under .said outlets, afwheel mounted on said shaft over said support, said wheel being divided by radial partitions into compartments into which oblong cards may be inserted lengthwise and widthwise, means for rotating said wheel step-by-step to advance each of said compartments successively bails normally extending across said compart- Aments and being movable to inoperative posito positions over each of said outlets, bails pivotally connected to `said partitions for holding against lateral movement in said compartments those of said cards which are inserted lengthwise, whereby to insure their alignment with said short outlets, said balls normally extending across said compartments and being movable to inoperative positions to permit cards to be inserted widthwise and to be removed in the same' manner, and means for rotating said spider after each step-by-step movement of said wheel to open said outlets momentarily to permit the discharge of cards through them into said receivers according to their horizontal dimensions.

13. A machine ofthe character described including a horizontal support having short and long discharge outlets, means for normally clos' ing said outlets, receivers under said outlets, a wheel having radially extending partitions which provide compartments into which oblong cards may be inserted lengthwise and widthwise, means for rotating said wheel step-by-step to advance each of said compartments successively to positions over each of said outlets, U-shaped bails carried by said partitions for holdingv against lateral movement in predetermined positions in said compartments those of said cards which are inserted lengthwise, whereby to insure their alignment with said short outlets, said tions, and means for actuating said first named means after each step-by-step movement of said wheel to open said outlets momentarily to permit the discharge of cards -through them into said receivers according to their horizontal dimensionsthe legs of said balls having pivotal con nections with said partitions, being engageable with the vertical edgesof those of such cards as are insertedv lengthwise into said compartments and extending over those of the cards which are inserted widthwise, and being of such a length that their connecting cross-pieces will clear the tops' ofthe engaged cards when the bails are. swung to said inoperative positions.

14. Avmachine ofthe character described in cluding a stationary support having short and .longradially extending discharge outlets formed partments into which oblong cards may be inserted lengthwise and widthwise, means engageable with said-rim for `rotatingsaid wheel stepby-step to advance each of said compartments successively to positions over each of said outlets,

U-shaped balls carried by said partitions for holding against lateral movement in said compartments those of said cards which are inserted lengthwise, whereby to insure their alignment with a short discharge outlet, said bails extending across said compartments in their operative positions and being movable to inoperative positions. and means for actuating said spider after each step-by-step movement of said wheel to open said outlets momentarily to permit discharge of cards through them into said receivers in accordance with their horizontal dimensions, the legs of said bails having pivotal connections with said partitions, being engageable with the vertical edges of those of said cards which are insertedlengthwise into said compartments and being of such a length that their connecting cross-pieces will clear the top edges of said last mentioned cards when the bails are swung from v15 operative to inoperative positions and conversely.

EVERT F. JOHNSON. 

